Cluster of stars sings praises of Maori language

By VANESSA BIDOIS

Step aside TrueBliss - New Zealand's new pop phenomenon is a funky Maori-language band.

Te Uru Whetu, which means a cluster of stars, has been created for television by TV3's Sunday morning Maori show for teenagers, Pukana.

The two boys and three girls, aged 12 to 18, were picked from more than 200 hopefuls during a nationwide talent search earlier this year. Their first single, Rua Mano, will be released in three weeks followed by a 10-track album later this year.

One of the troupe, Gisborne's Hayden Weke, described the new tune as "primo and catchy."

"I never thought I'd get in," he said. "It was a bit of a buzz and a shock."

Pukana producer Hone Edwards confirmed that the Maori broadcasting funding agency, Te Mangai Paho, had approved $30,000 for the album and was considering a second proposal for a Popstars-style documentary.

Te Uru Whetu aimed to encourage non-Maori speakers to learn Maori, Mr Edwards said. "Waiata [song] is one of many genres that can contribute to this process using rhythms, sounds and new kupu [words] familiar to the experience of children and young people today."

The band's songwriter and producer, Dalvanius Prime, said mainstream success was unlikely.

"I wish we had the budget that TrueBliss got, and especially [Australia's] Bardot, but then the realities of that happening in this country are next to nothing."